Protein or Carbohydrates?

This has got to be the biggest controversy in modern bodybuilding. Bodybuilders will say you've got to consume loads of protein to pack on quality muscle mass and increase strength. Nutrition experts say that you must eat a high carbohydrate diet, particularly complex carbs, to improve strength and size, and say that a high protein is of no benefit.

Who is right? You could say both are right. Only a few studies have been carried out looking into high protein intake and improvements in strength and muscle size. The results are inconclusive. Study design was poor, often only having very few subjects, who may be over-training or under-training. Other aspects of diet were often overlooked and most were only carried out on novice weight trainers who may not know how to train correctly. Also, the topic of anabolic steroids is avoided which does increase demand for protein.

Protein

Muscle consists mainly of two proteins, actin and myosin. The turnover rate of amino acids in these proteins is high, and increases upon stimulation such as exercise. If the muscle is worked to maximum effort like during a correctly executed bodybuilding workout, turnover is extremely high. Hence, there is a large demand from the body's pool of amino acids. High carb fans say this demand can be met by only a moderately higher than normal protein intake. High protein fans argue very high levels of protein are needed to meet demand. Bodybuilders who have plateaued in their gains for long periods, have dramatically increased their protein intake and started making gains. Also anabolic steroids increase the rate of protein synthesis within muscle cells, further increasing demand for protein.

Carbohydrate

The argument for a high carb intake comes from the fact that we need energy to fuel our workouts and to recuperate and grow. This is certainly the case for athletes who may need as much as 60% of their energy intake from carbs. High carb advocates also say that a "normal" intake of high protein foods should be eaten, as starchy carbohydrate foods also contain some protein, which will increase protein intake sufficiently. The type of carbs that should be consumed is high fiber starchy ones like whole meal bread, brown rice, whole wheat breakfast cereals, etc.

Using Both Protein and Carbs

Dietitians and nutritionists too often look at the percentage of total energy intake for proteins and carbohydrates. It would be better to look at actual intake levels. Both protein and carbs are needed in high amounts in order to gain muscle for all the reasons discussed above.

The problem in giving general advice is that we are individuals and therefore our requirements for different nutrients vary. If you are trying to gain muscle at the same time as trying to lose body fat, your carbohydrate intake will need to be reduced. If you are a beginner bodybuilder who is very skinny, your protein intake will need to be high and you will need to consume high carb foods regularly to gain weight.

Remember, you will not make good gains unless your protein intake is sufficient. Any successful bodybuilder will tell you this, no matter what so-called experts say and clinical trials show. A reasonably high intake of quality carbs is also required to train on and for recuperation. Eat complex carbs regularly throughout the day.

It is hard to give you figures of how much is required, as we are all so different. But as a general rule for any bodybuilder who is trying to gain muscle size and strength and does not wish to gain bodyfat, the following would be a good guide:

Protein: 1.0-1.5g of protein per pound bodyweight, depending on whether you use anabolic steroids. The intake must be staggered throughout the day at regular intervals.

Carbohydrate: Approximately 2g per pound bodyweight, and eat regularly through the day. As well as the above, remember to eat a balanced healthy diet, which is reasonably low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables.

Jeffrey Bedeaux

Your guide to building muscle and getting fit. http://www.dr-natural-bodybuilding.com

Over the past 16 years I have read 100's of magazines, almost 100 books, attended about a dozen seminars and consumed any other type of information on the topic of bodybuilding to advance my knowledge in this area. I also have a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry with minors in Chemistry and Microbiology from Colorado State University, 1998.

---

Ab Sculpting Exercise - One Of The Most Productive Exercises For Your Abs That Is Hardly Ever Used

Before I talk about one of the most productive and... Read More

Strength Training Strategies that Actually Work

Over the years there has been a surge of different... Read More

The Baby Boomer Athlete

Are you a Baby Boomer? If you were born between... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - Seated Pulley Rows

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Perfects Abs - Three Ab Routines To Show Your Six Pack

Crazy, ripped, hard abs. That's the key to showing an... Read More

Build 80 Pounds Of Muscle?

Is it possible to gain 80 pounds of shredded muscle... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Upright Row

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Standing Calf Raise

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Increase Your Training Intensity - Training To Failure

You can only build muscle tissue if you can generate... Read More

Bodybuilding Protein

What helps make comedy also builds muscle?This is key to... Read More

The Facts About Anabolic Steroids

Anyone involved in the world of bodybuilding, and competitive sport... Read More

Choosing The Right Bodybuilding Supplement

Before wasting your money on a pile of bodybuilding supplements... Read More

Arm Training - Building Muscle for Bulging Bis and Tris

Let's face it, most guys who start lifting want two... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Decline Dumbbell Bench Press

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Beach Body Abs

With the return of warm weather in the spring, thoughts... Read More

Build Muscle and Boost Your Training Intensity Now

Build Muscle with a unilateral weight training program. Whether you... Read More

Muscle Soreness After Exercise

Many individuals judge the quality of their exercise session from... Read More

A Very Simple Program Anybody Can Follow To Gain MASS

Until I started following a routine to eat, my gains... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Flat Dumbbell Fly

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Muscle Building Training Tips For Beginners

(*) Proper bodybuilding exercises technique.First steps in muscle building training... Read More

Anabolic Hormones - A Two-Edged Sword

When I was a young boy, emerging muscles were the... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 2

Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More

Muscle Gain Visualization Tips

Visualization can play an important part in gaining weight and... Read More

Complete Pec Training Tips

Put these pec techniques to use and develop that full,... Read More

3 Biggest Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training is exercise that uses resistance to strengthen and... Read More

Can Growth Hormone Boosters Enhance Muscle Growth?

Many experts feel that supplementation with growth hormones offers exciting... Read More

Exercise The Right Way - The Hammer Curl

Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More

Are You Over Training in the Gym?

Every set was taken to positive failure, with three or... Read More

Power Mass Training for Building Muscle Mass

Many people believe you need to train with a variety... Read More

Waist Your Breath - Breathing For A Thinner Waist

The crunch exercise is the backbone of abdominal training. It... Read More

What Is Strength Training?

Traditional strength training consists of performing one to three (or... Read More

Scientific Principles For Effective Muscle Gain

It's an unfortunate reality that throughout the years there has... Read More

Why You Must Choose The Right Dumbells For Maximum Results Results

Embarking on a dumbbell exercise program? Then examine two well... Read More